IT’S Valentine’s Day today, the annual day for celebrating all things love and lovely or, depending on your perspective, the day of obligatory gift giving to avoid tension in the relationship.

But with growing unemployment rates, low consumer confidence and an increasingly expensive property market, you’d be forgiven for not wanting to splash out hundreds on a present.

So here are some budget-conscious ideas for saying ‘I love you’ (or ‘I just kind of like you’) on V Day, suggested by Finder.com.au for News.com.au.

Go on a road trip

Like any other holiday, there’s a premium in airfares and hotel rates around Valentine’s Day, especially if you book last minute. Instead, take a day trip somewhere beautiful or scenic with a picnic.

Instead of spending money on airfares and hotels, take a daytrip to somewhere scenic and take a picnic lunch.Source:Supplied

Leave a note somewhere unexpected

A great example of the little things that count. Finding a small surprise like a lovely note, poem or picture in their wallet or around the house will be sure to put a smile on your partner’s face. And remember it’s free so it could be done all year round.

Save with coupons

If you want to do something classic like give flowers, you don’t have to spend up to $200 for a bouquet. There are deals to be found online from florists. Or you could pick some from your garden.

Organise a movie marathon

Instead of rubbing elbows at the cinema and shelling out $40 for tickets, fire up some of your old favourite movies at home. Revisit Casablanca, To Catch A Thief or Annie Hall.

Watch a classic such as
To Catch A Thief. Image courtesy: Sw...Source:Supplied

Cook dinner at home

Fancy dinners out on Valentine’s Day will set you back bucketloads, that’s if you managed a reservation in the first place. Why not whip up your partner’s favourite dish at home instead?

Make a playlist

It’s the mixed tape for the digital age. Incorporate all the songs that have meant something to you both — the first time you burst into song together in the car, that great concert you guys went to or the tune you danced to together.

A picture tells a thousand words

So imagine the epic poem a collection of pictures will translate to. Make a picture book of your first date together or the first holiday you went on. If you go digital, there are loads of photo apps to help.

Suck it up and be selfless

Do something your partner loves to do that you normally steer clear of. Are they a mad mini golf fan? Go along to a course with them.

You may hate mini golf but if your partner loves it, suck it up and go with them.Source:Supplied

Be thoughtful

If you know there’s something your partner has been griping about, fix it for them as a surprise. Get out the WD40 and fix that squeaky door or mend his favourite shirt.

Finder.com.au money expert Michelle Hutchison said: “With Valentine’s Day coming up, many Australian couples are getting the itch to spoil their partner with presents to show their love. However, you don’t need to blow out your budget to show your partner you love them.

“It doesn’t have to be an expensive day. It’s the little things you do that counts. You could easily spend hundreds on a vanilla Valentine’s Day with roses and chocolates or you could pocket the money and give them a romantic day worth remembering.”

But remember, while Valentine’s Day only comes around once a year, there’s no reason why you can’t do things at any time throughout the year. You don’t need a specific date to show how much you care.